New Yorkers shred papers representing bad 2009 memories

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People shred their bad memories for "Good Riddance Day"

New Yorkers and visitors have said goodbye to bad memories from 2009 by shredding documents, letters and photos in a public ceremony.

Hundreds of people flocked to Times Square to destroy mementos and papers representing unpleasant experiences.

Items included everything from photos from ex-lovers to redundancy letters and newspaper articles chronicling the failings of beloved sports teams.

"Good Riddance Day" was the third annual event of its kind.

Roxanne Rodriguez, of Manhattan, placed a piece of paper with "Writer's block" written on it through an industrial shredder.

She told the Associated Press news agency she hoped 2010 would be the year she finally writes a musical.

"This is going to be the year I'm going to be dedicated and focused, and I will get something down on the page every day," she said.

For items that could not be shredded the organisers, the Times Square Alliance, provided a sledgehammer and a large waste-container.

What personal memories are you saying goodbye to?